• The Tennessee Child Labor Act restricts the hours that teens may work.Tennessee state contour against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
  
  The Tennessee Child Labor Act protects children by limiting the hours that they may work and restricting the types of employers that may employ teens. Tennessee parents and employers should be familiar with the Tennessee Child Labor Act to ensure compliance with the restrictions and regulations. Tennessee does not require a work permit for teen workers in the state.
  
  

School Days

• The Child Labor Act prohibits 14- and 15-year-old teens from working during school hours. Children in this age group are also prohibited from working before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. if school is in session the following day. During school weeks, 14- and 15-year-old workers may not work more than 18 hours during weeks when school is in session.
  
  The Child Labor Act prohibits 16- and 17-year old workers from working during hours when they are required to be in school. Teenagers may not work before 6 a.m. or after 10 p.m. when the following day is a school day.
  
  

Non-School Days

• The Tennessee child labor law allows children aged 14 and 15 to work up to eight hours in a day when school is not in session, such as during school vacations and summer break. Children in this age group are allowed to work up to 40 hours in a week during school vacations.
  
  

Parent’s Consent

• Tennessee allows children between the ages of 16 and 17 to work additional hours during a school week with parental consent. A teen who has parental consent may work until 12 a.m. during a school week, but the law restricts this to three days during school weeks.
  
  

Required Breaks

• Tennessee requires employers to provide teens with 30-minute meal breaks when they work a six-hour shift. The meal break does not have to be a paid break. The Tennessee Child Labor Act prohibits scheduling meal breaks during the first hour of the work shift.